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Rockies place Fowler on DL with wrist issue

Rockies place Fowler on DL with wrist issue

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By Thomas Harding
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MLB.com |

DENVER -- For about an hour or so Tuesday afternoon, Rockies center fielder Dexter Fowler was in the starting lineup and said he was headed to the batting cage and didn't have time to talk. Unfortunately for him, his sore right wrist screamed that he wasn't ready to play.

So Fowler was not only scratched but placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday. Fowler will be eligible to return July 11 at Los Angeles.

For Tuesday night's game against the Dodgers, second baseman DJ LeMahieu moved into the leadoff spot and Tyler Colvin was inserted in center field, in the No. 8 hole. For the next eight games, the Rockies' offense will be without Fowler and regular cleanup man Troy Tulowitzki, who will miss the next 3-4 weeks because of a broken rib.

The Rockies filled Fowler's roster spot by activating right-handed pitcher Edgmer Escalona (1-2, 4.18 ERA) from the 15-day disabled list. He had been out with right elbow inflammation.

Fowler was hit on the right ring finger by a pitch on June 13, and played on and off as that injury healed. Fowler was playing through pain until last Tuesday when he hurt his wrist while swinging against the Red Sox. It's a difficult time for Fowler, who is hitting .291 with 10 home runs, 26 RBIs, two triples and 13 doubles.

"His hand just wasn't feeling good enough to run him out there tonight," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "It's retroactive back to I think the first day in Boston. So it won't be a full 15 days from now. I think he's going to need that time.

"When he swings, that's ultimately the problem. When he swings it sets him back. He came in feeling much better today and then he went into the cage and tries to swing and it just wasn't right."